Electrical apparatus for melting sealing-wax.



Patnted Jan.

W. T. v oN TILLOW. TRIGAL vAPPARATUS FOR MELTING SBALING WAX.

ANDREW. E. GRAHAM l PNTLLITNUGRAPMHS4 WSHNGYDN, D. L'.

APPLICATION FILED DEG. 14, 1908.

(if: E

ELEG

"trical Apparatus for Melting Sealing-Wax;

ment ofthe parts.

`to apply electric energy `to `the melting of? blaze-can be extinguished. A great econ-` fwax melting apparatus constructed in ac- WILLIAM THOMAS VON TILLOW, OF SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA.

ELECTRICAL APPARATUS FOR MELTING SEALINGr-WAX.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 11, 1910.

Application filed. December 14, 1908. Serial 110.467,54?.

To all whom it may concern:

Be itlknown that I, vWILLIAM THOMASVON TILLow, a citizen of the United States, and l residingat 333 Devisadero street, in the city 1 `of San Francisco, county of San Francisco, `and State of California, have invented cerV tain new and useful Improvements in Elecand I do hereby declare the following to be `a full, clear, and exact description of the said invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it most nearly appertains to make, use, and practice the same.

This invention relates to improvements in apparatus for melting sealing wax, and cony sists in the novel construction and arrange;

The objects sought to be accomplished are sealing wax, and similar substances; to eliminate the dangers incidental to the use of open flames in the melting and applying of sealing wax; and to prevent sooting and other deleterious effects on the wax due to overheating, orexposing same to an open` iiame.

It `is a matter of record that many valuable papers and documents have been destroyed by fires having their origin in the candles, gas jets or other flames used in post l oiiices, express oflices, banks, and other places where conditions demand the use of sealing wax. Sealing wax being of an inflammable nature, when exposed to an open flame ignites and transfers the blaze to the usually inflammable wrapper of the parcel of currency, or other valuable matter, accomplishing its partial or total destruction before the omy in the use of wax is accomplished as this apparatus uses the last drop; which is impossible by the old method owing to the impossibility of holding a small piece of wax in the fingers near enough to a flame to melt it.

Other advantages will be manifest asthe description progresses.

In thedraWings:-Figure -1- is a longitudinal cross section of an electric sealing cordance with this invention. Fig. -2- is` finger grip #7 on the opposite end.

1 an end view of the gate for the delivery nozzle, havingV a monogram seal sunken therein.

`Broadly the invention consists of a wax `receptacle consisting of a vtube having a tapered end with a restricted opening closed by a pivoted gate; an outer casing concentrically spaced `from the said tube; a heating device, consisting of an electro-thermal resistance inclosed within an insulator adapted 'to inclose the `tapered end of the tube adjacent to the restricted opening thereof; suitable electric connectionsada pted to engage the power circuit; and a suitable make and break switch interposed in the electric circuit.

In detail the construction consists of the inner tube #1, having the tapered end #'2,

and the restricted opening #3. This opening `is closed by the gate #4, mounted on a lever #5, `pivoted at #6, and havingrltpe ie upper end ofthe inner tube is closed by the plug #8 having the `ring #9, by which the apparatus can be suspended when not in use. The innertube is inclosed by an outer tubular casing #10, spaced therefrom a suitable distance. This* outer casing may be dispensed with, as it is not absolutely essential to the proper working of the apparatus. Its function is to insulate the hand of the operator from the heat generated by the heating device, and to add a proper finish to the invention.

A heating device consistingof an electrothermal resistance adapted to convert electric energy into heat, and preferably composed of a coil of wire #11, of relatively high electric resistance, inclosed within an linsulating cap #12 of porcelain, or other suitable material is fitted over the tapered end of the inner tube. The cap #12 extends into the end of the outer casing and is secured therein by the screws #13, or in any other suitable manner. This construction renders the resistance coil easily removable, and permits of the ready replacement of a new one in the event of injury or deterioration. The contact points #14, and #15 and #19 terminating in the insulating ring #20 interposed between the inner tube and the outer casing.

The apparatus derives its electric energy through the medium of the conventional fused plug #21, having the contact surfaces #22, and #23 engaging corresponding contacts within a common switch socket used in ordinary incandescent lamp service. The division wire #18 terminating in the contact surface #22 conducts the current through the contact points #14, and #16, thence through the electro-thermal resistance coil #11, from whence it passes out through the contact points #15 and #17, through the wire #19, to the contact point #24 representing one side of a make and break switch. The opposite side of this switch has a similar contact point #25, connected with the wire #26 which terminates in the contact point #23 on the plug #21. The circuit is closed by the metallic point #28, mounted on the spring #29 fixed on the outer casing at #30. Then this spring is depressed the metallic point #28 comes in contact with the terminals #24 and #25 which closes and completes a metallic circuit between the source of power and the heating coil #11.

It is deemed unnecessary to go into the technical detail of the various forms of electrical energy, varying as they do in voltage, amperage, &c., and known to those skilled in the art. Suiiice it to say that the electrical features of this invention must be consistent with the properties of the electric energy which is to be converted into heat therein, whatever may be the derivatives of such energy, whether primary, secondary or otherwise; all phases of electric energy as known to commerce are capable of generating heat through the proper medium.

The apparatus is operated as follows (the attachment plug being presumed to be properly attached to the power circuit): The plug #8 is removed and a stick of wax X is inserted, or the inner tube is loaded with granules, or sealing wax in any form. The apparatus is grasped in the right hand firmly. The switch is closed by pressure of the thumb on the button #31, this energizes the heating coil which gradually raises the temperature at the point and softens and melts the sealing waX. After the wax has melted to a fluid state the gate #4 is opened by pressure of the little linger on the grip #7, which releases the wax in any quantity determined by the manipulation of the gate. Vhen the desired quantity of wax has been delivered the pressure of the linger is released, and the gate is closed by the eX- pansion of the spring #32, and the pressure of the thumb on the switch is removed which automatically opens the switch breaking the circuit and stops the further generation of heat. Vhen the applied wax is in proper condition the seal #33 is impressed upon it in the usual manner. The heating surface is proportioned to the outlet so that melted wax will continue to flow until exhausted as long as the switch '#28 is closed. It is preferable to give the heating coil #11 a double turn at or near the gateway to increase the volume of heat at this point, and so graduate the heat that the wax is just melted to fluidity Without overheating. In the old way (using an open flame) the resinous gases given o by the sealing wax were invariably ignited, which aside from the attendant danger, smoked the wax and made a neat result more the exception than the rule: whereas by the use of this invention an ignition heat is not generated, consequently the above disadvantages are eliminated, and the waX retains its original color and adhesive qualities, and can be v delivered wherever desired in proper quantity without Stringing it about over the parcel. It is neat, cleanly, efficacious, and ready for instant use.

Having thus described this invention what is claimed, and desired to secure by Letters Patent is l. An electric sealing wax melting apparatus consisting of a tube having a tapered end and a restricted opening; an exteriorly mounted pivoted gate adapted to close said opening; and outer casing concentrically spaced from said tube; a heating device consisting of an electro-thermal resistance encompassing said tube adjacent the said restricted opening; an insulator for said resistance; suitable electric connections between said electro-thermal resistance and the source of energy; and a suitable switch interposed in the electric circuit.

2. An electric sealing wax melting apparatus consisting of a tube having an end with a restricted opening; a pivotedv gate adapted to close said opening and having an impress seal portion; an electro-thermal heater located adjacent said restricted opening; suitable electrical connections with said heater and adapted to connect with the source of energy; and a suitable switch intcrposed in said electrical connections.

3. An electric sealing wax melting apparatus consisting of a tube having a restricted opening; an exteriorly mounted pivoted gate adapted to close said opening; an electrothermal heater located adjacent said restricted opening; and suitable electrical connections for said heater.

4. An electric sealing waX melting apparatus comprising a tube provided at one end with a restricted opening, a cap closing the other end, an eXteriorly pivotcd grate adapted to close said opening, an electro-thermal heater located adjacent said opening, electrical connections for said heater, and an electric switch secured to the exterior of said tube for controlling the circuit to said heater.

5. An electric sealing Wax melting device comprising a tube provided at one end with a restricted opening, an electro-thermal heater located adjacent said opening, electrical connections for said heater, a lever 10 pivoted to said tube, and a gate carried by said lever for closing said opening.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand.

WILLIAM THOMAS VON TILLOW. Witnesses:

MAX JOHN KUHL,

OLEN LAMAR BERRY. 

